Hemodynamic effects of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor linagliptin with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in type 2 diabetic patients with albuminuria.

OBJECTIVE: Concomitant treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors is increasingly common. Pharmacological studies have suggested a potential adverse drug interaction between ACE inhibitors and DPP-4 inhibitors resulting in unfavorable hemodynamic changes; very few studies have examined such an interaction between angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and DPP-4 inhibitors. We investigated blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) during treatment with the DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin in individuals receiving either ACE inhibitors or ARBs in the MARLINA-T2D trial. METHODS: In this study, 360 individuals with type 2 diabetes and albuminuria receiving unchanged doses of ACE inhibitors or ARBs were randomized to linagliptin or placebo. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, an exploratory endpoint, was conducted at baseline and after 24 weeks. RESULTS: Ambulatory BP monitoring data were available for 208 individuals (linagliptin: n = 111; placebo: n = 97). Baseline mean ±â€ŠSD 24-h SBP and DBP were 132.5 ±â€Š12.4 mmHg and 75.9 ±â€Š9.4 mmHg, respectively; mean 24-h HR was 76.3 ±â€Š10.1 bpm. At week 24, no overall effect of the DPP-4 inhibitor versus placebo was seen on mean 24-h SBP, DBP, or HR. Furthermore, in the subgroups receiving either an ACE inhibitor or an ARB, no effect on these hemodynamic parameters was seen as a result of concomitant DPP-4 inhibitor treatment. CONCLUSION: Adding linagliptin to treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs was not associated with any hemodynamic changes, supporting their concomitant use in individuals with type 2 diabetes and albuminuria.

Risk of hypoglycaemia in people aged ≥65 years receiving linagliptin: pooled data from 1489 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: To investigate the risk of hypoglycaemia in people aged ≥65 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with linagliptin, in the largest pooled analysis performed to date. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One thousand four hundred and eighty-nine patients aged ≥65 years with T2DM were pooled from 11 randomised, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled trials evaluating linagliptin 5 mg alone, or in addition to various background therapies. The primary safety endpoint was the incidence of investigator-defined hypoglycaemia. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the risk of hypoglycaemia between linagliptin and placebo in the all-patient population at 24 weeks (hazard ratio [HR] 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84, 1.36; P = 0.5943)-despite significant (P < 0.0001) improvements in glycaemic control-and 1 year (HR 1.02; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.27; P = 0.8803). Similar findings were observed for linagliptin vs placebo in subgroup analyses by background medication (eg, sulphonylureas (SUs) and/or insulin vs no such drugs), age, baseline glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), ethnicity, and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate. Patients with a baseline HbA1c ≥7.5% had significantly higher odds of achieving HbA1c <7.5% without hypoglycaemia in the linagliptin group compared with placebo at 24 weeks (34.1% vs 13.7%; 95% CI: 2.04, 4.12; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This pooled analysis indicates that linagliptin was effective in treating older people with T2DM towards their HbA1c targets with a favourable safety and tolerability profile and low risk of hypoglycaemia. The safety profile was maintained even on background therapies with known risk of hypoglycaemia, such as insulin and SU.

Empagliflozin in women with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease - an analysis of EMPA-REG OUTCOME®.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The global epidemic of type 2 diabetes affects women and men equally; however, the relative impact on the cardiovascular (CV) system appears greater for women than men when compared with peers without diabetes. Furthermore, women are often under-represented in CV outcome trials, resulting in less certainty about the impact of CV prevention therapies across the sexes. The EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial, which included 28.5% women, found that empagliflozin, given in addition to standard of care, reduced the risk of CV death by 38%, heart failure (HF) hospitalisation by 35% and a composite endpoint for incident or worsening nephropathy by 39%. Here we report a secondary analysis of the trial to determine the relative effects of empagliflozin in women vs men. METHODS: The population studied were individuals with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 53-86 mmol/mol [7-10%] and eGFR >30 ml min-1 [1.73 m]-2), with established atherosclerotic CV disease. Individuals were randomised to receive empagliflozin 10 mg or 25 mg, or placebo once daily in addition to standard of care, and followed. The trial continued until ≥691 individuals had experienced an adjudicated event included in the primary outcome. All CV outcome events, including HF hospitalisations and deaths were prospectively adjudicated by blinded clinical events committees. RESULTS: At baseline, the demographic profile of the 2004 women (age ± standard deviation 63.6 ± 8.8 years) compared with the 5016 men (age 63.0 ± 8.6 years) in the trial was largely similar, with the exception that LDL-cholesterol was numerically higher in women (2.5 ± 1.0 vs 2.1 ± 0.9 mmol/l), consistent with lower rates of lipid-lowering therapies (75.4% vs 83.2%). Women were also less likely to have smoked (31.5% vs 69.9%). The annualised incidence rate for women in the placebo group was numerically lower than in men for CV death (1.58% vs 2.19%), numerically higher for HF hospitalisation (1.75% vs 1.33%) and similar for renal events (7.22% vs 7.75%). We did not detect any effect modification by sex within the statistical power restrictions of the analysis for CV death, HF hospitalisation and incident or worsening nephropathy (interaction p values 0.32, 0.20 and 0.85, respectively). Compared with placebo, empagliflozin increased the rates of genital infections in both women (2.5% vs 10.0%) and men (1.5% vs 2.6%). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: CV death, HF hospitalisation and incident or worsening nephropathy rate reductions induced by empagliflozin were not different between women and men.

Efficacy and Safety of Linagliptin in 2681 Asian Patients Stratified by Age, Obesity, and Renal Function: A Pooled Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

INTRODUCTION: Asian patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are younger, leaner, and more likely to develop renal dysfunction than White populations. In this multiethnic analysis of data from phase 3 trials, we investigated the efficacy and safety of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor linagliptin in Asians stratified by these subphenotypes. METHODS: Data from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating linagliptin (as monotherapy, add-on therapy to metformin ± sulfonylurea, combined with pioglitazone or added to insulin) were pooled with efficacy data from 11 randomized trials of at least 24 weeks and safety data from 15 trials of various durations. RESULTS: In the efficacy set, 1404 Asian patients received linagliptin [mean (standard deviation) age 54.5 (10.1) years; body mass index (BMI) 26.0 (3.9) kg/m2] and 661 received placebo [age 55.0 (9.7) years; BMI 26.1 (3.9) kg/m2] with the same glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c): 8.2 (0.9)% in both groups. At 24 weeks, the placebo-corrected adjusted mean ± standard error change from baseline in HbA1c with linagliptin was -0.73 ± 0.04% (95% confidence interval -0.81, -0.65; P < 0.0001). Reductions in HbA1c were similar upon stratification by age [<65 years, -0.71 ± 0.05% (-0.80, -0.62; P < 0.0001); ≥65 years, -0.81 ± 0.10% (-1.01, -0.60; P < 0.0001)], BMI (<25 kg/m2, -0.82 ± 0.06% [-0.94, -0.70; P < 0.0001]; ≥25 kg/m2, -0.65 ± 0.06% [-0.76, -0.54; P < 0.0001]) and estimated glomerular filtration rate [<90 mL/min/1.73 m2, -0.71 ± 0.06% (-0.82, -0.60; P < 0.0001); ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2, -0.75 ± 0.06% (-0.87, -0.64; P < 0.0001)]. In the safety set (linagliptin, n = 1842; placebo, n = 839), 52.2% and 54.6% of patients, respectively, experienced adverse events. The rates of drug-related adverse events were 10.9% in the linagliptin group and 10.4% in the placebo group. The respective rates of hypoglycemia were 8.3% and 9.5%, mainly among patients treated with sulfonylurea or insulin. Severe hypoglycemia was rare (<1.0% in either group). CONCLUSION: Linagliptin effectively reduced hyperglycemia in Asian patients with uncontrolled T2D, irrespective of age, BMI, renal function, or ethnic subgroups, and was well tolerated. FUNDING: Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly and Company, and the Diabetes Alliance.

Impact of empagliflozin on blood pressure in dipper and non-dipper patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

In the EMPA-REG BP trial, empagliflozin significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) compared with placebo at week 12 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension. In a post-hoc analysis, we assessed the effect of empagliflozin on SBP and DBP using 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring in patients categorized as dippers (sleep-time mean SBP ≤ 90% of awake-time mean; n = 417) or non-dippers (sleep-time mean SBP > 90% of awake-time mean; n = 350). In dippers, adjusted mean (SE) changes from baseline in mean 24-hour SBP (mm Hg) at week 12 were -0.2 (0.7) with placebo vs -3.8 (0.6) and -3.9 (0.7) with empagliflozin 10 and 25 mg, respectively (both P < .001 vs placebo). In non-dippers, these changes were 1.0 (0.7) with placebo vs -1.6 (0.7) with empagliflozin 10 mg ( P = .013 vs placebo) and -3.8 (0.7) with empagliflozin 25 mg ( P < .001 vs placebo). In both dippers and non-dippers, SBP and DBP patterns over 24 hours were maintained. There were no clinically relevant changes in heart rate with empagliflozin. In conclusion, empagliflozin significantly reduced mean 24-hour SBP compared with placebo in dippers and non-dippers.

Efficacy and safety of linagliptin/metformin single-pill combination as initial therapy in drug-naïve Asian patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To assess efficacy/safety of initial linagliptin/metformin single-pill combination (SPC) therapies versus individual drug components over 24weeks in treatment-naïve Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and insufficient glycemic control. METHODS: Patients (initial glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ⩾7.5% to <11.0% [58-97mmol/mol]; main group) were randomized to: linagliptin 5mg once daily (qd); metformin 500mg twice daily (bid); metformin 1000mg bid; linagliptin 2.5mg/metformin 500mg bid; or linagliptin 2.5mg/metformin 1000mg bid. Patients with severe hyperglycemia (HbA1c ⩾11.0% [97mmol/mol]) received linagliptin 2.5mg/metformin 1000mg bid or linagliptin 5mg qd (switched at week 12 from linagliptin to SPC if HbA1c >8.0% [64mmol/mol]). The main group primary endpoint was HbA1c change from baseline to week 24. RESULTS: At week 24, adjusted mean change from baseline in HbA1c (main group, n=733) was: linagliptin 5mg qd, -1.3%; metformin 500mg bid, -1.6%; metformin 1000mg bid, -2.1%; linagliptin 2.5mg/metformin 500mg bid, -2.2%; linagliptin 2.5mg/metformin 1000mg bid, -2.3%. The first test of primary HbA1c analysis (linagliptin 2.5mg/metformin 1000mg bid vs. metformin 1000mg bid) was borderline non-significant; however, SPCs produced significantly greater reductions in HbA1c from baseline versus respective monotherapies in all but one pre-defined sensitivity analysis. In the severe hyperglycemia group (n=143), linagliptin 2.5mg/metformin 1000mg bid produced a superior HbA1c reduction (-4.7%) versus linagliptin 5mg qd (-3.5%) after 12weeks. Hypoglycemic adverse events were low across groups. CONCLUSIONS: Initial linagliptin/metformin SPC significantly improved glycemic control in this population.

Safety and efficacy of linagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease: Analysis of pooled events from 19 clinical trials.

AIMS: To examine the safety and efficacy of linagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD) using pooled data from the global clinical trials program. METHODS: Patient-level data were pooled from randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of linagliptin (5mg, monotherapy or combination therapy). Safety/efficacy analyses were conducted for patients with CAD and ≥12 and ≥24weeks of treatment, respectively. RESULTS: The safety analysis included 19 trials (linagliptin, n=451; placebo, n=272) and the efficacy analysis, 12 trials (linagliptin, n=328; placebo, n=198); mean (± standard deviation) exposure to study treatment was 212 (144) days linagliptin and 245 (171) days placebo. Occurrence of cardiac adverse events (AEs) was similar for linagliptin- and placebo-treated patients (9.1% and 9.2%, respectively); exposure-adjusted incidence rates (per 100 patient-years) were 16.6 and 14.0, respectively. Overall incidence of AEs was numerically lower with linagliptin than placebo. After 24weeks, mean adjusted change (standard error) from baseline glycosylated hemoglobin was -0.64% (0.04) with linagliptin vs. -0.08% (0.05) with placebo (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive pooled analysis showed that addition of linagliptin to treatment regimens of patients with T2DM and CAD was not associated with an increased incidence of cardiac AEs, was well tolerated, and was effective.

Kidney Disease End Points in a Pooled Analysis of Individual Patient-Level Data From a Large Clinical Trials Program of the Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor Linagliptin in Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Although assessment of cardiovascular safety is mandated by regulatory agencies for the development of new drugs to treat type 2 diabetes, evaluation of their renal safety has been relatively neglected. STUDY DESIGN: Individual patient-level data pooled analysis of 13 phase 2 or 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trials of the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor linagliptin. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Participants who participated in any of 13 randomized clinical trials and fulfilled predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria, such as being drug-naive (hemoglobin A1c, 7.0%-11.0% [53-97 mmol/mol]) or being on background glucose-lowering therapy (hemoglobin A1c, 6.5%-10.5% [48-91 mmol/mol]). INTERVENTION: Of 5,466 consenting individuals with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes, 3,505 received linagliptin, 5mg/d, and 1,961 received placebo. OUTCOMES: The primary kidney disease outcome was defined as first occurrence during the study of 6 predefined safety end points: new onset of moderate elevation of albuminuria (urinary albumin-creatinine ratio [ACR] >30 mg/g with baseline values ≤ 30 mg/g), new onset of severe elevation of albuminuria (ACR > 300 mg/g with baseline values ≤ 300 mg/g), reduction in kidney function (serum creatinine increase to ≥250 µmol/L from a baseline value <250 µmol/L), halving of estimated glomerular filtration rate (loss of baseline eGFR >50%), acute renal failure (ascertained from diagnostic codes), or death from any cause. MEASUREMENTS: Albuminuria was assessed using ACR. GFR was estimated using the CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) equation. RESULTS: Cumulative exposure (person-years) was 1,751 for linagliptin and 1,055 for placebo. The primary composite outcome occurred in 448 (12.8%) and 306 (15.6%) participants in the linagliptin and placebo groups, respectively. Linagliptin treatment significantly reduced the hazard of kidney disease events by 16% compared with placebo (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72-0.97; P=0.02). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective and hypothesis-generating study involving short- to midterm clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: Linagliptin was not associated with increased kidney disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. The potential of this drug to improve kidney disease outcomes warrants further investigation.

Efficacy and safety of linagliptin in subjects with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus (>10 years): evidence from pooled data of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trials.

PURPOSE: Long duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with progressive ß-cell loss and may pose a challenge to maintenance of good glycemic control. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor linagliptin in an understudied population of patients with long-standing T2DM. METHODS: Data from 202 individuals with T2DM for >10 years were pooled from 2 randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase III trials. Participants received either linagliptin 5 mg once daily (n = 122) or placebo (n = 80) for 24 weeks as an add-on to their current glucose-lowering therapy. FINDINGS: Long-standing T2DM was associated with older age (mean [SD], 69.1 [10.0] years) and a high prevalence of diabetes-related complications (78% with diabetic kidney disease and 83% with macrovascular disease). The mean baseline glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level was 8.22% (1.08%), and mean baseline fasting plasma glucose level was 161.8 (49.2) mg/dL. Linagliptin significantly improved glycemic control after 24 weeks, with a placebo-adjusted mean change in HbA1c from baseline of -0.66% (95% CI, -0.95 to -0.38; P < 0.0001). This change was accompanied by a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose, with a placebo-adjusted mean change from baseline of -15.5 mg/dL (95% CI, -29.6 to -1.3; P = 0.0323) at week 24. Overall, linagliptin was well tolerated, with drug-related adverse events in 21.3% and 16.3% of the linagliptin and placebo groups, respectively. Investigator-reported hypoglycemia occurred more often with linagliptin (25.4%) compared with placebo (12.5%). However, no severe hypoglycemic events were reported with linagliptin. Moreover, in patients not receiving concomitant sulfonylureas, the incidence of hypoglycemia with linagliptin (12.5%) was similar to that with placebo (12.2%). Patients' mean weight remained unchanged in both groups. IMPLICATIONS: This pooled analysis found that linagliptin was well tolerated and significantly improved hyperglycemia in a clinically challenging population of patients with long-standing T2DM (>10 years). Although T2DM is commonly associated with diminished ß-cell function, the extent of glucose lowering was similar to that in linagliptin trials, which largely included patients in earlier stages of the disease. Thus, this observation supports the hypothesis that regulation of glucagon release from pancreatic α cells may be of particular relevance for improving hyperglycemia in patients with long-term T2DM (NCT01194830 and NCT01084005).